60 Things to Do in and Around St Andrews

I'm coming up on my last few months in St Andrews, and as such, I'm feeling sentimental as I tick the final items off my bucket list. It's been four years in the making, and the completing, and there are still more things I want to do. Locals and students like to say that St Andrews has three streets, which is technically true if you only count the town centre. In heart, though, in beauty, in charm, in history, in entertainment (as long as you are imaginative enough to make your own fun), this town is as big as London and New York put together.

These are my recommendations, as a former student of the University of St Andrews and a forever admirer of this Auld Grey Toon, humbly presented in no particular order:

1. Eat brunch at Northpoint Café, a favourite haunt of both students and locals, which is said to be the location of Kate and Wills' (that's Prince William and Princess Kate, of course) first date.

2. If the weather allows, walk the Fife Coastal Path for some stunning views. Starting from the east side of East Sands, head up the hill past the caravan park to join the trail. Less than an hour's walk will take you to a lovely, quiet beach with a unique volcanic rock formation known as the Rock and Spindle. A little further on is The Castle Course, the newest of seven golf courses that make up the historic St Andrews Links. Even non-golfers can enjoy lunch at the restaurant also known as the Rock and Spindle, a classy gastropub with incredible panoramic views. A full guide to the St Andrews to Kingsbarns leg of the path can be found here.

3. Explore the cobbled streets of St Andrews. Practice your photography or just soak up the charm.

4. Search for thrifted treasures in the many charity shops. The best items can usually be found in May, June, and September, when many students are clearing out their wardrobes.

5. Pay tribute to a beloved town cat at the Hamish McHamish statue.

6. Visit St Salvator's Quad, but be careful not to step on the PH.

7. Form an opinion on the best café, pub, and beer garden. With many to choose from, many people who live in St Andrews are vocal about their favourites.

8. Starting on Lade Braes, follow the trail to Craigtoun Country Park. A family-friendly and easy walk, the entire circular path takes about an hour and a half to complete, but you'll want to allow for plenty of time to spend at the park itself, which features gardens and play areas that are free all year round, along with paid seasonal attractions and a café.

9. Attend an a cappella performance or carol service by one of the university's many choirs, usually held at Holy Trinity Church, which is 800 years old and has John Knox connections, or St Salvator's Chapel, the university's own historic place of worship.

10. Become a patron of the arts at the Byre Theatre.

11. Soak in the calming influence of the North Sea at one of St Andrews' three beaches.

12. Visit St Mary's Quad and take a picnic in the summer.

13. Indulge in fudge doughnuts at Fisher & Donaldson.

14. See Blind Mirth, the university's award-winning improv comedy troupe, for free on a Monday night. Blind Mirth claim to be the funniest, sexiest, best, oldest, and, incidentally, only improv comedy troupe in St Andrews, and they definitely deliver.

15. Attend Evensong at St Salvator's Chapel.

16. Visit the Wardlaw Museum, which aims to tell the story of the University of St Andrews and also features several temporary exhibitions, interactive experiences, and a beautiful view of the North Sea from the terrace. Entry is free.

17. Eat gelato at Jannettas Gelateria, a world-famous and award-winning family business.

18. Arrange for a tee time on one of the seven courses at St Andrews Links. There's no better place to play than the Home of Golf, where both amateur and professional golfers have graced the fairways for over 600 years.

19. Walk the iconic Old Course on a Sunday, when the course is closed to golfers and open to the public.

20. Take a photo on the world-famous Swilcan Bridge and walk in the footsteps of golfing greats.

21. Take golf lessons or hit the driving range at the St Andrews Links Golf Academy.

22. Or, if you prefer putting, try your hand at the Himalayas. If you try hard enough, you can almost convince yourself this counts as having played golf at St Andrews.

23. Recreate the Chariots of Fire run on West Sands, where the iconic beach scene was filmed.

24. Shop for antique and secondhand books at Bouquiniste Books, or browse new books with a complimentary pot of tea or coffee at Topping & Co.

25. Eat fish and chips on the beach, but don't let the seagulls get you. Tailend and Cromars Fish & Chips are both good bets. At Cromars, make sure to indulge in the Scottish delicacy of the deep fried Mars bar after dinner.

26. Visit the ruins of St Andrews Castle, which date back to roughly 1200.

27. Complete the pier walk at St Andrews Harbour, walking down along the bottom tier and back along the top.

28. See St Andrews Cathedral and wander through the graveyard, keeping an eye out for the gravestones of famous golfers such as Old Tom Morris and Allan Robertson.

29. For a small fee, you can visit the underground Cathedral Museum and, better yet, climb St Rule's Tower for a bird's eye view.

30. Step into the past and stroll in the lovely garden at St Andrews Heritage Museum and Garden. The cosy museum housed in a 17th-century home features artefacts from daily life in St Andrews in days gone by. Entry is free.

31. Attend an event at Kinkell Byre, a stunning venue just outside of St Andrews where many university balls are held.

32. Watch the sunset on Castle Sands.

33. As a student, take part in ancient traditions, from Raisin Weekend to May Dip.

34. Get out on the water by joining one of many water sports clubs at the university.

35. Get involved in clubs or societies in general. With over 150 extracurricular societies, the Students' Association has something for everyone, and most offer socials and taster sessions so you can get a feel for them before you commit. Joining an extracurricular society is a great way to make friends, build community, try new things, learn new skills, bolster your CV, and add variety to your university life. During my time at St Andrews, I was a member of several societies, and it was one of the best decisions I made as a student.

36. Visit the St Andrews Aquarium and question why there are meerkats.

37. Immerse yourself in nature at the St Andrews Botanic Gardens. Students and under 18s get in for free, and there's a café, so you can treat yourself to tea and cake when you're done wandering the garden.

38. Walk Lade Braes, starting in the town centre, passing the picturesque Law Mill, and ending in a number of pleasant destinations, including Craigtoun Country Park or the St Andrews Botanic Garden. I've found that Lade Braes is especially beautiful in May.

39. Visit the St Andrews Museum, housed in a beautiful Victorian mansion, for more collections focused on the history of the town. Entry, and even refreshments, are free, although donations are appreciated.

40. Visit the R&A World Golf Museum (and visit the café for delicious hot chocolate).

41. If you're more interested in the natural world, visit the Bell Pettigrew Museum, which received the mark of approval from Sir David Attenborough himself. Entry is free to students and staff of the University of St Andrews.

42. Take a dip outdoors at the natural sea pool at Castle Sands or indoors at the East Sands Leisure Centre.

43. Go in search of sheep along Cairnsmill Burn.

44. Watch the ducks in the Kinnessburn (and spot ducklings in the spring and summer months).

45. Get spooked on an informative ghost tour.

46. Celebrate St Andrew's Day at the Big Hoolie, with live music, an outdoor ceilidh, a torchlit parade, and a fireworks display.

47. Visit the Balgove Night Market, a traditional farmer's market featuring live music that runs on the first Tuesday evening of the month from May to September.

48. Check out the Farmer's Market on South Street on the first Saturday of every month.

49. Or, check out the Makers Market on the second Saturday of every month and support local makers, bakers, and artists. Some of my favourite earrings are from Ivy Lane, which I discovered at the market.

50. Spot celebrities around town during the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, which takes place annually at St Andrews Links in October and sees celebrity amateur golfers playing alongside the professionals.

51. Spend the day in Edinburgh, which is easily accessible in two hours via the X59, X59A, or X60 buses leaving from St Andrews Bus Station, or in about an hour by train leaving from Leuchars Station, just outside of St Andrews.

52. Check out the other Fife fishing villages, such as Crail, Anstruther, St Monans, Pittenweem, Kingsbarns, and Elie, which each have something unique to offer.

53. In Elie, visit the Lady's Tower, which was built in 1770 for Lady Janet Anstruther, who liked to lounge above the sea following her frequent skinny dipping trips.

54. Visit the world-famous Loch Lomond. Before you go, read the story behind the song, so you can fully appreciate the bonnie banks and braes.

55. Head north to Cairngorms National Park, the UK's largest National Park nestled in the Scottish Highlands.

56. Visit Kellie Castle and Garden, just north of Pittenweem.

57. Brush up on the history of the Cold War at Scotland's Secret Bunker, a nuclear bunker which now functions as a museum.

58. Visit Cambo Estate and Gardens, just outside of St Andrews.

59. Search for fairies at Dunino Den, a site of pagan worship. Supernatural or not, many visitors report experiencing an overwhelming peace while there.

60. Go shopping in Dundee. Depending on who you ask, Dundee should really be called Fundee... or Scumdee. No matter your opinion, Dundee is the go-to place to do the shopping you can't in the smaller town of St Andrews. While there, you can hike up to the Law, visit the V&A Dundee, check out the McManus Art Gallery & Museum, or learn about naval history at the HMS Unicorn or Discovery Point.

What are your favourite things to do in and around St Andrews?